Joint Statement By AIRF & NFIR

New Delhi: Recently a statement has been issued by certain organizations on #IndianRailways giving scope for #confusion and #mistrust about #Railways.

All railway employees work hard day and night to the best of their capabilities for the #safe-operation of #trains. This is evident from the reduction in train #accidents year by year. Further, even though the prima facie cause of the accident is conveyed, every accident in railways is always followed by a detailed inquiry by CRS or a multi-disciplinary team to determine the cause of the accident and suggest remedial measures. Action is taken based on this detailed inquiry.

Both the recognise federations (#AIRF and #NFIR) have also been giving suggestions for improving #Safety standards further. It is efficient and hard-working railway employees who provide the most affordable means of #transport for the people of this country. Proudly we the #federations say that we continue to work for the safety of #Passengers and safety of #assets. It is however sad that instead of appreciating the hard work of railway employees, comments are being made to demoralise railway employees.

Of course, there is always scope to improve the working conditions of employees to reduce the harshness of working. We are holding regular meetings and negotiations at all levels to improve things further.

In recent years more than 5 lakh employees have joined railways. We note that the process of employing 1.5 lakh candidates has been completed recently and action initiated for the recruitment of over 18,000 loco pilots. The long pending demand for publishing the annual exam calendar has been accepted and categories like Junior engineers, technicians etc. are also in the pipeline of recruitment. On Indian Railways, there is a well-established system of training. All railway employees undergo regular training through refresher courses, safety courses, equipment courses etc., in various training institutes across Indian railways. Loco pilots are given competency certificates after training/counselling whenever new technology is deployed.

Federations are discussing staff issues threadbare with officers and solutions are being worked out which are acceptable to both sides.

Railway is a mammoth 12 lakh-employee organization. The functioning of this organization is not easily understood by outsiders. In such a complex working scenario, adverse comments, knowingly or unknowingly without understanding the working may not be in the overall interest of the nation. Federations therefore appeal to individuals and organisations to assist in a constructive manner for the overall good of the nation.

We do not appreciate the statements issued by non-railway unions/organisations etc., as these statements would create an environment of apprehension and fear in the minds of common people.

AIRF and NFIR are true representatives of railway employees as we raise the concerns/issues of all categories of railway employees to ensure satisfactory redressal. We railway employees as a team are committed to the safe operations of railways and serving the nation.